sofimun.org - the official website of Sofia International Model United Nations
 
 

5-th Sofia International Model United Nations (SOFIMUN)

21-28 July 2012 Sofia, Bulgaria, EU

An international young leaders' summit of the SOFIMUN Foundation

         Search Of Future Ideas, Models Us Now

A 5 star MUN event *****

 
 
 
 
 
 

SOFIMUN.org ---> Organs

       
           
 
 

What is Model UN?

 
 

Model United Nations, commonly known as MUN, is a simulation of the United Nations. In this simulation participants (students and young professionals) take on the roles of foreign diplomats and debate contemporary international matters. Depending on the UN body he or she is assigned to this can vary from a military crisis or human rights abuses to climate change...

 
 

read more...

 
     
 

Preparation for a Model UN

 
 

- How to get prepared for a model UN?

- What to do step-by-step?

- What information do I need?

- From where to gather information?

- What is a position paper and how to right it?

- What is a state fact-sheet?

- Why do I need an opening speech?

 
 

read more...

 
     
 
           
 

SOFIMUN organs

   

Topics

 
           
 

Security Council of the United Nations Organization

(English and Russian language)

 

The Security Council has primary responsibility, under the Charter, for the maintenance of international peace and security. It is so organized as to be able to function continuously, and a representative of each of its members must be present at all times at United Nations Headquarters.

 

When a threat against international peace is brought to the attention of the Security Council, the council first attempts to negotiate a settlement between the disputing parties. The council may use its own member delegations, refer the issue to discussion in the General Assembly, or appoint the Secretary-General, the head of the United Nations, to act as mediator. It may set forth principles for a peaceful settlement as well.

 

If no peaceful agreement can be reached, and the disputing factions use violence, intimidation, or force, the Security Council can then enact policy resolutions to solve the conflict or restore peace. Sometimes this policy includes economic sanctions such as trade embargoes or prohibitions on governments borrowing from international funds. Under the Security Council regulations, however, humanitarian aid can never be withheld from any nation or group of people. The Security Council also reserves the right to recommend expulsion of any UN member state in gross violation of the UN charter and international law, though the dismissal must be voted on and passed in the General Assembly.

 

The Security Council is the only United Nations organization that can authorize military action and maintain a military-trained peacekeeping force. In violent international dispute, the Security Council can send intervening peacekeeping troops to secure areas in turmoil.

 

The Security Council is further responsible for overseeing compliance with international agreements involving weapons, the rules of engagement (conduct during war), the illegal spread of nuclear technology, and other threats to international peace. To enforce these treaties, such as international agreements on nuclear non-proliferation, the Security Council can authorize UN-led inspections of a nation's military arsenal. In addition, the Security Council can order sanctions or authorize military action.

 

More at: www.un.org/Docs/sc

 

Topic A

Women, peace and security

Topic B

The increasing violence between Sudan and South Sudan

 

 

Summary & Guide (Press the PDF icon)

Summary & Guide (Press the PDF icon)

   

Synopsis

Synopsis

In today’s changing world with some form of conflict present in almost every region, there is a growing belief that women and security issues are inextricably interconnected. The strong link between women, peace and security was recognized through the adoption of the UN Security Council resolution 1325 (2000). This represents one of the most significant international binding documents recognizing the different roles of women and girls as vital agents in conflict and post-conflict situations. It calls for both ensuring protection of women who find themselves in armed conflict, as well as for guaranteeing their full and equal participation in all mechanisms for the prevention and resolution of conflicts; planning and implementation of disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR) policies; and peace building initiatives. Four other important SC resolutions followed: Resolutions 1820 (2008), 1888 (2009), 1889 (2009), and 1960 (2010), thus consolidating the current international policy framework on “Women, peace and security”. However, accountability, implementation and action on the ground remains imperfect, which is why international community should make new efforts to reduce the impact of conflict on women and girls and incorporate a gender perspective in all security sectors, as an essential step towards the attainment of stability, peace, sustainable development, and inclusive governance for all.

Only a year old, the newest state in the world - South Sudan – is facing a wave of increasing violence caused by the conflict with its Northern neighbour, Sudan. In addition to the internal crises due to the almost inexistent health care system, the high rates of infant mortality, and the famine, the country has to deal with the dispute with Sudan. The violence along the common border leads to thousands of people seeking refuge. However, despite the calls of the UN and the African Union to stop the fighting, peace seems to be out of sight until at least the status of the contested oil-rich region Abyei is resolved. Still, the recent meetings of Sudan President Omar al-Bashir and South Sudan President Salva Kiir are an indication that the states are trying to reach a ceasefire meeting the UN deadline August 2.

 

   

UN Security Council

(15)

 

0 VACANT PLACES

 

Actors:

(GREEN color = free)

(GREY color = taken)

(RED color = requires experience)

 

 
 
 

Azerbaijan

 

China

 

Colombia

 

France

 

Germany

 

Guatemala

 

India

 

Morocco

 

Pakistan

 

Portugal

 

Russian Federation

 

South Africa

 

Togo

 

United Kingdom

 

United States

 

 
           
           
 

Human Rights Council of the United Nations Organization

(English language)

 

The United Nations Human Rights Council is created in March, 2006 and is the successor to the United Nations Commission on Human Rights, which was often criticized for the high-profile positions it gave to member states that did not guarantee the human rights of their own citizens. The Council is considered an international body within the United Nations System and its purpose is to address human rights violations.

 

The Council assumes all the mechanisms, mandates, functions and responsibilities of the Commission for Human Rights. At the same time, it is tasked with the review, rationalization and improvement of these. This makes up the bulk of the Council’s work in its first year.

 

Special procedures" is the name given to the mechanisms established by the former United Nations Commission on Human Rights and continued by the Human Rights Council to monitor human rights violations in specific countries or examine global human rights issues. Special procedures can be either individuals who are leading experts in a particular area of human rights, or working groups usually composed of five members. In order to preserve their independence they do not receive pay for their work.

 

More at: www.un.org/rights

 

Topic A

Refugees in North African and Arab Nations

Topic B

The treatment of indigenous peoples

   

Summary & Guide (Press the PDF icon)

Summary & Guide (Press the PDF icon)

   

Synopsis

Synopsis

Since the start of the Arab Spring at the end of 2010, hundreds of thousands of individuals fled Arab countries mostly to neighboring North African countries such as Algeria, Chad, Niger and Sudan. In 2010 Colonel Kaddafi closed the UNHRC office in Tripoli which led to people having to flee Libya in the hundreds even before the start of the civil war which lasted for over half a year. Reports suggest that more than a million Libyans sought refuge in those countries during the Libyan civil war. Whilst Italy welcomed refugees from North Africa at the start of the Arab Spring, it wasn’t long before they closed their borders citing incapacity to facilitate the amount of incoming refugees after failed attempts to convince fellow EU member states to share the burden of refugees. As a result it became considerably more troublesome to flee the North African and Arab nations meaning that thousands of refugees have no means to leave the unstable region. The UNHRC has attempted taken measures to prevent human rights violations of the refugees which have made the situation more tolerable but obviously still a bit too far from ideal.

Indigenous peoples are ethnic groups that are defined as indigenous according to one of the various definitions of the term, there is no universally accepted definition according to the United Nations, but most of which carry connotations of being the "original inhabitants" of a territory. The rights of these communities is generally theoretically enshrined in soft law, but the difficulties in addressing this topic is largely in dealing with applying the theories to practical reality. Indigenous groups come up against businesses and governments disputing that the land and resources occupied, owned, or even embodying these individuals could be utilised for their own furtherment. The realisation of these rights and protection of the cultures and traditions of these peoples is an ongoing issue – how far can we go to enshrine these rights? Who are those that are affected? How can we practically address the clauses in the UN documents already? Or is this an issue that the UN and Human Rights Council can only put forward a guiding outline, a normative perspective?

 

   

UN Human Rights Council

(27)

 

9 VACANT PLACES

 

Actors:

(GREEN color = free)

(GREY color = taken)

(RED color = requires experience)

 

 

Argentina

 

Australia

 

Austria

 

Belarus

 

Belgium

 

Bosnia and Herzegovina

 

Bulgaria

 

Canada

 

Central African Republic

 

China

 

Cuba

 

Korea, DPR

 

Denmark

 

Ecuador

 

Egypt

 

France

 

Greece

 

India

 

Iran (Islamic Republic of)

 

Ireland

 

Israel

 

Jordan

 

Lebanon

 

Mexico

 

Morocco

 

United Kingdom

 

United States of America

 

 
           
           
 

United Nations Economic and Social Council

(English language)

 

 ECOSOC was established under the United Nations Charter as the principal organ to coordinate economic, social, and related work of the 14 UN specialized agencies, functional commissions and five regional commissions. The Council also receives reports from 11 UN fund and programs. Its main responsibilities in accordance with article 55 of the UN Charter are promoting higher standards of living, full employment, and economic and social progress; identifying solutions to international economic, social and health problems; facilitating international cultural and educational cooperation; and encouraging universal respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.

 

Viewed separate from the specialized bodies it coordinates, ECOSOC’s functions include information gathering, advising member nations, and making recommendations. Moreover, ECOSOC is well positioned to provide policy coherence and coordinate the overlapping functions of the UN’s subsidiary bodies and it is in these roles that it is most active.

 

ECOSOC has 54 members, all of whom are elected by the General Assembly for a three-year term. Each member of ECOSOC has one vote, and decisions are made by a simple majority of the members present and voting.

 

More at: http://www.un.org/ecosoc/

 

Topic A

Youth Unemployment

Topic B

Peacebuilding and Post-Conflict Recovery

   

Summary & Guide (Press the PDF icon)

Summary & Guide (Press the PDF icon)

   

Synopsis

Synopsis

According to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights “everyone has the right to work“, however, the challenge our countries face is to establish opportunities.
Unemployment has a severe negative impact not only on economy, but on society as a whole. While youth on the one hand are the hope and single most important resource every society has, this human resource will, on the other hand, open into a destructive power when the society cannot provide opportunities for them to develop and live a decent life.
The opportunities are falling short as most of the young people are stuck in low-wage, dead-end work, regardless of having finished university. The United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) recently held a forum under the motto „Cearting a Sustainable Future: Empowering Youth with a Better Job Opportunities“, in which future programs for amplifying economic and political empowerment to especially help young people make the most out of their potential were discussed.

Refugee camps, famine, displacement, humanitarian aid: wars continue harming nations long ever after a military conflict has ended. The effects on economy, environment and societal values are unforseeable and hard to cope with, so that a country will seldomly be capable of resolving these issues on its own. During our conference, ECOSOC is going to analyse how states can recover economically from the conflicts and how the United Nations can alleviate the sufferings of a co-member and develop instruments for peacekeeping and for securing stability. The primary concerns of post-conflict regions are health care, infrastructure, and the recuperation of the destroyed industrial centres. Post-conflict recovery includes activities seeking to strengthen capacities for peace and to decrease the potential for violent conflicts by strengthening governance and the rule of law, training local leaders in conflict resolution methodologies, demobilizing and reintegrating soldiers, and developing local economies.

 

   

United Nations Economic and Social Council

(27)
 

11 VACANT PLACE

 

Actors:

(GREEN color = free)

(GREY color = taken)

(RED color = requires experience)

 

 

Argentina

 

Australia

 

Brazil

 

Bulgaria

 

Canada

 

China

 

Cuba

 

Ecuador

 

Egypt

 

France

 

Germany

 

India

 

Italy

 

Japan

 

Libya

 

Mexico

 

Mongolia

 

Netherlands

 

Nigeria

 

Pakistan

 

Qatar

 

Republic of Korea

 

Russian Federation

 

Spain

 

Turkey

 

United Kingdom

 

United States of America

 

 
           
           
 

United Nations Global Compact

(English language)

 

The UN Global Compact is a strategic policy initiative for businesses that are committed to aligning their operations and strategies with ten universally accepted principles in the areas of human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption. By doing so, business, as a primary driver of globalization, can help ensure that markets, commerce, technology and finance advance in ways that benefit economies and societies everywhere.

 

As social, political and economic challenges (and opportunities) — whether occurring at home or in other regions — affect business more than ever before, many companies recognize the need to collaborate and partner with governments, civil society, labour and the United Nations.

 

This ever-increasing understanding is reflected in the Global Compact's rapid growth. With over 8700 corporate participants and other stakeholders from over 130 countries, it is the largest voluntary corporate responsibility initiative in the world.

 

Endorsed by chief executives, the Global Compact is a practical framework for the development, implementation, and disclosure of sustainability policies and practices, offering participants a wide spectrum of workstreams, management tools and resources — all designed to help advance sustainable business models and markets.

 

More at: http://www.unglobalcompact.org

 

 

Topic A

Transparency and accountability in global markets

Topic B

The elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and occupation

   
   
   

Synopsis

Synopsis

Transparency and Accountability are two of the central pillars of good governance. Transparency is also a necessary precondition for the exercise of accountability since without access to clear, accurate and up-to-date information, it is impossible to judge whether the standard promised has been met. The UNGC strives for the evolution of these two categories in order to bring positive change to the global markets and thus arrange the local ones in a new order.

Based on race or colour, gender or sex, religion or ethnical origin, disability, age or political affiliation, discrimination in the workplace and during the application procedures exists in many countries. Having a negative effect on business and social life, it could hurt a company's reputation, when it restricts advancement to certain groups or types of employees. According to a report on discrimination at the workplace by the International Labour Organization, “workplace discrimination remains a persistent global problem, with new, more subtle forms emerging“. Inequalities suffered by discriminated groups spread. Due to affirmative action policies, a new middle class has been created that consists of formerly discriminated people in some countries but in others, people who are from discriminated groups are frequently involved in the worst jobs, denied benefits, capital, land, social protection, training, or credit. Discrimination at a workplace can lead to poverty as it creates a web of poverty, forced and child labour and social exclusion. Seeking to eliminate discrimination is indispensable to any strategy for poverty reduction and sustainable economic development, which should be discessed among the members of the United Nations Global Compact.

 

   

United Nations Global Compact (27)
 

7 VACANT PLACE

 

Actors:

(GREEN color = free)

(GREY color = taken)

(RED color = requires experience)

 

 

Business group: 14 members

 

American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham Serbia) (Serbia)

 

American International Chamber of Commerce (USA)

 

Association of Employment Agencies (SAZ) (Poland)

 

Bulgarian Industrial Association - Union of the Bulgarian Business (Bulgaria)

 

Cairo Chamber of Commerce (Egypt)

 

China Entrepreneurs Union (China)

 

Hellenic Association of Chemical Industries (Greece)

 

Iskenderun Rotary Club (Turkey)

 

JSC Foreign Trade Association - Rosneftegazexport Russian Foreign Trade Association (Russia)

 

LIBAN (Lebanese International Businessmen Associations' Network) (Lebanon)

 

National Business Initiative - South Africa (South Africa)

 

National Confederation of Employers of the Republic of Moldova (Moldova)

 

SMS Latinoamerica (Argentina)

 

Young Entrepreneurs Association (Jordan)

 

 

 

Civil society group: 7 members

 

Amnesty International (UK)

 

Basel Institute on Governance (Switzerland)

 

Environmental Parliament (UK)

 

Global Development Research Center (GDRC) (Japan)

 

Global Network for Peace and Anti Corruption Corruption Initiative (Nigeria)

 

Government To You (Gov2U) (Greece)

 

Human Rights First (USA)

 

 

 

Labour group: 4 members

 

International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers' Unions (ICEM) (Switzerland)

 

International Federation of Journalists (Belgium)

 

International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) (Belgium)

 

UNI Global Union (Switzerland)

 

 

 

United Nations group: 2 members

 

International Labour Organization (ILO)

 

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

 

 
           
           
 

Council of Ministers of the EU - Economic and Financial Affairs Council

(English language)

 

The Economic and Financial Affairs Council is one of the oldest configurations of the Council. It is commonly known as the Ecofin Council, or simply "Ecofin" and is composed of the Economics and Finance Ministers of the Member States, as well as Budget Ministers when budgetary issues are discussed. It meets once a month.

 

The Ecofin Council covers EU policy in a number of areas including: economic policy coordination, economic surveillance, monitoring of Member States' budgetary policy and public finances, the euro (legal, practical and international aspects), financial markets and capital movements and economic relations with third countries. It decides mainly by qualified majority, in consultation or codecision with the European Parliament, with the exception of fiscal matters which are decided by unanimity. The Ecofin Council also prepares and adopts every year, together with the European Parliament, the budget of the European Union which is about 100 billion euros.

 

The Eurogroup, composed of the Member States whose currency is the euro, meets normally the day before the Ecofin meeting and deals with issues relating to the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU). It is an informal body which is not a configuration of the Council. When the Ecofin Council examines dossiers related to the euro and EMU, the representatives of the Member States whose currency is not the euro do not take part in the vote of the Council.

 

More at: http://www.consilium.europa.eu/showpage.aspx?id=250&lang=en 

 

Topic A

Economical Feasibility of Accepting New Members in the EU and the Monetary Union considering Current Financial Climate

Topic B

Immigration as an economical tool to boost financial stability and diversity

   

Summary & Guide (Press the PDF icon)

Summary & Guide (Press the PDF icon)

   

Synopsis

Synopsis

The short-term financial impact of the economic crisis on EU enlargement is rather complex to assess yet. Enlargement is no longer on the top of the EU agenda. However, the long-term impact, mainly, the will of current Member States to pay for poorer members and other associated risks, is potentially far more important. In addition, the results of the Eurozone crisis further exacerbate concerns about the future homogeneity of the EU and the sustainability of solidarity as Member States face serious financial and banking problems.

The massive rescue packages to save the sinking economies of Greece and other European countries makes it very difficult to increase the EU budget to finance the gradual convergence of acceding countries. In addition, those countries hoping to join the EU, they will all need big transfers from the EU budget for their EU market integration which will require major economic reforms and legislative adjustments, as well as structural ones, which also often bear substantial financial costs. Furthermore, in the context of the economic crisis, it is evident that the support of Germany-the biggest economy and paymaster to the EU budget will be very crucial to the enlargement process.

Finally, taking into account the recent economic meltdown and uncertain prospects of recovery, it is legitimate to expect that the European Union will not be as generous to future members as in the past. It is quite possible that the gap between the desired policy outcome-integrating the candidate countries- and the lack of financial means to achieve this, will open even further.

The EU immigration policy under development is of utmost importance for the Union in order to take advantage of the opportunities deriving from the integration of non-EU nationals. Immigration potentially constitutes an advantage and a source of dynamism for the European economy. .
The EU aims to enhance economic opportunities and integration measures, ensure equivalent rights and treatment for non-EU nationals throughout the EU, so as to alleviate the impact of demographic aging and help Europe deal with labor and skill shortages.
Recent projections suggest a natural decrease in the EU population between 2010 and 2050. Assuming zero net immigration, the EU's population would decrease by 26 million by 2030 and by 50 million by 2050. Barring immigration, by 2050, the working age population (15-64 years old) in the EU would decrease by 59 million, posing a major economic challenge.
According to the European Commission, in 2010 there were 3.5 persons of working age (20-64) for every person aged 65 or over, in 2060 ratio is expected to be 1.7 to 1. It is therefore crucial to ensure that migrants enjoy the same rights and have the same responsibilities as EU citizens to ensure the integration process that optimizes the opportunities and resolves the challenges for all involved-the immigrants, as well as the Union itself.

 

   

Council of Ministers of the EU - Economic and Financial Affairs Council

(27)
 

10 VACANT PLACES

 

Actors:

(GREEN color = free)

(GREY color = taken)

(RED color = requires experience)

 

 

 

Austria

 

Belgium

 

Bulgaria

 

Cyprus

 

Czech Republic

 

Denmark

 

Estonia

 

Finland

 

France

 

Germany

 

Greece

 

Hungary

 

Ireland

 

Italy

 

Latvia

 

Lithuania

 

Luxemburg

 

Malta

 

Netherlands

 

Poland

 

Portugal

 

Romania

 

Slovakia

 

Slovenia

 

Spain

 

Sweden

 

United Kingdom

 

 
           
           
           
 

SNN - SOFIMUN News Network (Official media body of SOFIMUN)

(English language)

 

The SNN is the official media body of the Sofia International Model United Nations conference. The media will be set up to keep all participants in the conference informed about the latest events and developments in the various forums and lobbying areas.

 

The SNN media is part of the conference organs. Achieving its aim to keep all SOFIMUN participants up-to-date, the media will be launched entirely via the internet with contant update, video broadcasts – interviews, news, etc. Being developed for three years already, SNN is considered to be the most modern media in the Model UN conferences world, offering to its team the opportunity to experience every side of the journalism work – both new and traditional media.

 

The purpose of SNN is to serve as central information point on all important things that happen on SOFIMUN. Its journalist team will be selected through international application (same as for the other SOFIMUN organs).

 

The journalist team will broadcast the work of each committee; pay specific attention to any delegate and his work; write articles and take interviews from participants during the conferece. Each SOFIMUN organ will have journalists, carefully following its work and broadcasting the latest news on world issues that are of concern of the bodies being represented at SOFIMUN. Therefore, the SNN is the place where all of you wishing to be active as journalist and are interested in the media field can show what you've got!

 

You will represent the strong voice and influence of the medias in the modern world. What you write constitutes the principal source of information on the developments within the workshops at the delegate’s disposal. It fundamentally influences their decision-taking during the negotiations and the sessions.

 

WHY BEING AT SNN?

Participation in SNN as a journalist offers you a unique opportunity to act and work as a real journalist - realistic insight into the work of a journalist reporting on an international conference, the possibility of deepening your knowledge in journalism and a specific area of the international relations, the opportunity of meeting over 150 people from around the world sharing your passion for journalism and world affairs.

 

WHAT IS EXPECTED?

Being a journalist also brings responsibilities, from which among the most essential are: proficient English, talented writing, fluent use of technical devices (computer, camera), adoption of critical approach without loosing accuracy, team-working and flexibility.

 

You can select which media you want to represent by the SNN media list published on the right of this text.

 

If you wan to take part in the SNN media, register through our registration form. and mark "SNN (SOFIMUN News Network)" in "Desired organ" field.

 

More at: www.snn.sofimun.org

 

Guide

SNN Guide 2012

 
   
   
   

SOFIMUN News Network

(14)

 

11 VACANT PLACES

 

Actors:

(GREEN color = free)

(GREY color = taken)

(RED color = requires experience)

 

 

EURONEWS

European Union

 

AGENCIA EFE

Spain

 

AL ARABIYA

Dubai

 

ASSOCIATED PRESS

United States of America

 

AGENCE FRANCE – PRESSE

France

 

BULGARIAN TELEGRAPH AGENCY

Bulgaria

 

DEUTCHE WELLE

Germany

 

FRANKFURTER ALLGEMEINE ZEITUNG

Germany

 

LE MONDE DIPLOMATIQUE

France

 

PEOPLE'S DAILY
China

 

RIA NOVOSTI

Russia

   

SNN PHOTO

SNN Photographer

 

THE ECONOMIST

United Kingdom

 

XINHUA

China

 
           
           
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Banners | Terms of use | Privacy statement | Sitemap

© 2012 Sofia International Model United Nations. All rights reserved | Developed by SVETU DESIGN